[3] It is named for Hiram G. Runnels, a Texas state legislator.

[4] In 1683–84, Juan Domínguez de Mendoza established a short-lived mission.

[9] The stone county courthouse was erected in the Second Empire style soon after (1889).

[10] In 1899, the community of Pumphrey, originally named New Hope, was established by William M.

[4] The Charles H. Noyes statue on the Ballinger Courthouse lawn, dedicated to the "Spirit of the Texas Cowboy", was sculpted by Pompeo Coppini in 1919.

[13] As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 11,495 people, 4,428 households, and 3,157 families residing in the county.

The racial makeup of the county was 81.44% White, 1.40% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 14.31% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races.

26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.